Kozhikode: Though police searched four convents to arrest the five nuns for colluding with Fr Robin Vadakkumchery to keep the delivery of the raped minor a secret, none of them was in the convents, according to police.
According to police the accused in the crime were Thankamma, an employee of St Sebastian's church, Neendunokki, Kottiyur, Dr Tessi Jose, gynaecologist, Christuraja Hospital, Kuthuparamba, Sr Ancy Mathew, hospital administrator, Dr Hyderali, paediatrician, Christuraja Hospital, Sr Liz Maria, Christudasy Convent, Mananthavadi, Sr Anitta, St Christudasi Convent, Iritty and Sr Ophelia, Infant Jesus Orphanage, Vythiri, Wayanad. The parents of the minor would be listed as accused later, it is learnt.
Soon after the delivery of the minor on direction from the church Thankamma reached the hospital and with the help of Sr Liz Maria, daughter of Thankamma, the newborn was shifted to Infant Jesus Orphanage, Vythiri, according to police. The group travelled in a car driveb by Sr Anitta. Sr Ophilia received the newborn on February 7, keeping it a secret till February 20, police said. Police has also prepared to submit a plea in the High Court to conduct a DNA test.
Meanwhile, sources close to church revealed that moves are afoot to ensure the surrender of nuns before the court.
The PRO of Mananthavadi diocese, Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam who is the chairman of the Wayanad Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and Sr Dr Betti, member, Wayanad Child Welfare committee would also be included once they were removed from the posts, police said. CWC being a statutory body with judicial powers, police is not at all empowered to take action against the duo at present, it was pointed out.
Police had submitted a report to the government to remove both from the CWC as they had prima facie committed a crime.
The government will remove Fr Thomas Joseph Therakam and Sr Dr Betty Jose from the charge of Wayanad CWC as the police and the Social Welfare Department submitted reports against the duo in connection with the secret delivery and shifting of the newborn. The order removing both from the posts would be issued on Monday, minister for health and social justice K.K. Shylaja said in a press release.
